Raising taxes on sodas an alternative to curb unhealthy diet
The GSHS, which was conducted since 2009 among 1,664 students from Forms 1 through 5, found that 63.9 percent of the students drank carbonated soft drinks one or more times per day during the past 30 days. The figures indicated that some 65.0 percent of boys and 63.0 percent of girls drank one or more per day.
Researches have shown that the consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks is associated in some ways with obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental cavities, and low nutrient levels.
On November 18, 2011 at the University of the West Indies centre in Paraquita Bay, PAHO’s Family and Community Health Advisor Dr. Betzabé Butrón presented the results of the survey which was also conducted in several other countries.In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, the PAHO advisor said it was important to recognise that there is a problem and finding solutions. One of the recommendations she made to directly reduce the intake of soft drinks is to raise taxes on soft drinks.
Dr. Butrón said it was important to make it difficult for students to purchase it. She also suggested that changes can also be made in ensuring vendors around schools do not sell soft drinks and for cafeterias at the schools, if they should still want to sell it, the price can be doubled for them.As for companies that bring in the soft drinks, she suggested increasing taxes. Dr. Butron compared the situation what has been done and continues to be done with tobacco products where taxes are increased on them.
Meanwhile, in more questions in the survey that related to dietary behaviour, the results also showed that in the Virgin Islands, it recorded the highest obesity rate among the age group of students, with boys recording 36 percent and girls 37.
As for the percentage of students who were obese, the Virgin Islands statistical figure stood the highest as well with both boys and girls at 17 percent.
The advisor told VINO that there are several countries such as Costa Rica which have already begun making changes to deal with the health issues among their students. However, she noted that the Virgin Islands still need to hold more discussions on the subject.
She had presented the results to a group of teachers, community health officials and others and noted that they should not let money or the lack of it affect them from finding solutions to the problems.During the section where the results were presented and community were asked to make recommendations, some pointed out the lack of finances to purchase healthy meals.
However, Dr. Butron told them that while money will always be an issue, they should not forget the percentage of children that are drinking soft drinks and maybe “there is no need for more money to deal with reducing that”.She also noted there were many things that they can do now without having to get more money to change that trend. However, she encouraged them to still advocate for it.
Among the areas she pointed out to teachers of how they can get involved in helping to deal with the health issues affecting students is by being role models and adopting a healthy lifestyle as well.The Community Health Advisor noted that the first role models for kids are parents, then teachers.
“If want your children and students to change, start thinking about what you are going to do with yourselves. So when we think about school health, yes we are concerned about our students but it’s also about teachers, principals, the school environment, their families and links with the community.”
She also encouraged the involvement of the churches and to also ask that they take into consideration the gender difference between the male and female students when making their recommendations.More discussions are expected to be held to help address the results from the survey.
The 2009 school health survey of the VI measured alcohol use, dietary behaviours, drug use, hygiene, mental health, physical activity, protective factors, sexual behaviours, tobacco and violence and unintentional injury. It is designed to, among other things, help countries develop priorities, establish programmes, and advocate for resources for school health and youth health programmes.
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